Packaged Scoop for Placing in a Container Partially Filled with Powder

ABSTRACT

A preferred form of the present invention places a scoop inside a bag inflated with air, forming a bag/scoop assembly. The intent of the bag/scoop assembly is to prevent the scoop from settling below the top surface of the powder without changing the scoop design. The bag/scoop assembly has a convex surface, thus, if powder were to fall on top of the bag/scoop assembly, the curvature of the bag/scoop assembly would allow the powder to slide off the bag more easily due to gravity. The bag/scoop assembly also reduces the difference in surface area of the powder relative to the bag/scoop assembly. This reduction in surface area ratios decreases the space available for the powder to move over the bag/scoop assembly during shaking and vibration of the tub. The bag/scoop assembly is lighter than the powder and is therefore not subject to sinking.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is scoops for powder and in particularpackaged scoops for containers of powdered drink mixes.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, scoops for powders in containers do not have separatepackaging and are simply dropped into the container for the powder,normally sinking to the bottom. There are videos of people showing howto fish out the scoop with a fork or some other reaching device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred form of the present invention places a scoop inside a baginflated with air, forming a bag/scoop assembly. The intent of thebag/scoop assembly is to prevent the scoop from settling below the topsurface of the powder without changing the scoop design. The bag/scoopassembly has a convex surface, thus, if powder were to fall on top ofthe bag/scoop assembly, the curvature of the bag/scoop assembly wouldallow the powder to slide off the bag more easily due to gravity. Thebag/scoop assembly also reduces the difference in surface area of thepowder relative to the bag/scoop assembly. This reduction in surfacearea ratios decreases the space available for the powder to move overthe bag/scoop assembly during shaking and vibration of the tub. Thebag/scoop assembly is lighter than the powder and is therefore notsubject to sinking.

There are other possible bag structure that are workable but notpreferred such as a thick bag similar to padded shipping bags or abubble wrap plastic bag, which would automatically be airtight in thebubbles or a very tight bag that prevents the scoop from acting like ascoop.

These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention willbe apparent from the following description taken with reference to theaccompanying drawing, wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view of a prior art container for powderand a scoop in an initial position just after be put into the containeron top of the powder;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the prior art container for powder andscoop according to FIG. 1, but tipped at an angle to the left such asmight happened during shipping of handling;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the prior art container forpowder and scoop according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 after the scoop fillswith powder and begins to sink with shifting during shipping andhandling;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view of container for powder and a scoopenclosed in a bag according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a container for powder and a scoopenclosed in a bag according to FIG. 4, but tipped to the right; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a container for powder and a scoopenclosed in a bag according to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, but tipped to theleft, showing that the bagged scoop according to the present inventiondoes not sink.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,primary prior art is referred to generally by reference numeral 10.Prior art 10 includes a container 12 with a lid 14. Container 12 is atleast partially filled with a powder 16. The powder can be for apowdered drink formula, such as a power drink or for any other kind ofpowder. A scoop 18 begins by resting on top of powder 16, but ascontainer 12 is shifted in shipping, perhaps upside down is shippingboxes, scoop 18 fills with powder and begins to sink as it is shifted.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, where similar items retain the sameelement numbers, a container 12 is partially filled with powder 16 witha scoop 18 packaged for enclosure in the container according to thepresent invention is referred to generally by reference numeral 20. Apackaged scoop 18 includes a dipper having a bottom and an outer wallaffixed to the bottom, forming a receptacle 18R, so that the powder canbe held inside the dipper and an elongated handle 18H affixed to outsideof the dipper so that the dipper and handle form a scoop 18. A bag 22completely encloses the scoop so that the receptacle will not fill withpowder when enclosed in the container. In a preferred form bag 22 is anairtight plastic bag. A tightly fitting bag

A logo 24 can be affixed to the outside of bag 22 or to the inside ofbag 22. Logo 24 can be the logo for the powder or an advertisement.Similarly, insert 26 can be instructions for using the powder or andiscount coupon for powder or for a placed advertisement.

In another arrangement, a scoop 18 is packaged for enclosure in acontainer 12 partially filled with powder 16. The scoop includes adipper having a bottom and an outer wall affixed to the bottom, forminga receptacle 18R, so that the powder can be held inside the dipper. Anelongated handle 18H is affixed to outside of the dipper, so that thedipper and handle form the scoop. A bag 22 completely encloses the scoopso that the receptacle will not fill with powder when enclosed in thecontainer. A preferred bag is an airtight plastic bag but other bags canwork though not so well, such as a tightly fitting plastic bag thatprevents the scoop from filling or a bubble wrap plastic bag, which canalso be airtight.

It can thus be seen that the present invention places the scoop inside abag inflated with air, forming a bag/scoop assembly. The intent of thebag/scoop assembly is to prevent the scoop from settling below the topsurface of the powder without changing the scoop design. The bag/scoopassembly has a convex surface, thus, if powder were to fall on top ofthe bag/scoop assembly, the curvature of the bag/scoop assembly wouldallow the powder to slide off the bag more easily due to gravity. Thebag/scoop assembly also reduces the difference in surface area of thepowder relative to the bag/scoop assembly. This reduction in surfacearea ratios decreases the space available for the powder to move overthe bag/scoop assembly during shaking and vibration of the tub. Thebag/scoop assembly is lighter than the powder (air has a lower densitythan powder) and is therefore not subject to sinking.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is well adaptedto attain all of the ends and objectives hereinabove set forth, togetherwith other advantages which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings isto be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A scoop packaged for enclosure in a container partially filled withpowder, comprising in combination: a dipper having a bottom and an outerwall affixed to the bottom, forming a receptacle, wherein powder can beheld inside the dipper; an elongated handle affixed to outside of thedipper, wherein the dipper and handle for the scoop; a bag completelyenclosing the scoop so that the receptacle will not fill with powderwhen enclosed in the container.
 2. A scoop packaged for enclosure in acontainer filled with powder according to claim 1, wherein the bag is anairtight plastic bag.
 3. A scoop packaged for enclosure in a containerfilled with powder according to claim 1, wherein the bag is a tightlyfitting plastic bag.
 4. A container partially filled with powder with ascoop packaged for enclosure in the container, the packaged scoopcomprising in combination: a dipper having a bottom and an outer wallaffixed to the bottom, forming a receptacle, wherein powder can be heldinside the dipper; an elongated handle affixed to outside of the dipper,wherein the dipper and handle for the scoop; a bag completely enclosingthe scoop so that the receptacle will not fill with powder when enclosedin the container.
 5. A container partially filled with powder with ascoop packaged for enclosure in the container according to claim 4,wherein the bag is an airtight plastic bag.
 6. A container partiallyfilled with powder with a scoop packaged for enclosure in the containeraccording to claim 4, wherein the bag is a tightly fitting plastic bag.